Honours & Recognition – News From Nova Scotia Division
July 6, 2019
This is a general broadcast to all members of the Association.
Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendations
Dear Association Members,
Sandy Glen, the President of Nova Scotia Division informs us that two members of the Division have been awarded “Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendations” during a formal ceremony this past Thursday the 4th of July. Minister of Veterans Affairs, The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay personally presented individual awards to both Jan and Vic Gorman, and was accompanied by Member of Parliament and fellow Veterans Affairs Committee Member Darrell Samson. We are extremely proud of Jan and Vic for the work they have done in creating and growing the Support and Advocacy Program along with it’s committee members.
The Correspondence from the Minister follows.
James Forrest
Director of Communications
RCMP Veterans’ Association
Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation
Canadians from every walk of life provide outstanding volunteer service to Veterans, their communities and their country. In April 2001, the Governor General authorized the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation to formally recognize these Canadians’ contributions.
The Governor General Warrant states the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation be “…awarded to individuals who have performed commendable service to the Veteran community and/or individuals who represent commendable role models for their fellow Veterans.”
The Commendation is awarded annually to deserving recipients.
Mrs. Janet Gorman
Windsor Junction, Nova Scotia
Mrs. Janet Gorman is a retired Officer, Chief of Operations with Canada Border Services Agency. She is a member of the Executive of the Nova Scotia Division of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Veterans’ Association and sits as one of the Directors of the Support and Advocacy Committee. Mrs. Gorman was instrumental in the design and development of the Support and Advocacy Program in the Nova Scotia Division and for the RCMP Veterans’ Association nationally.
Mrs. Gorman and her husband Victor have organized and delivered information workshops on a bi-annual basis in the province for RCMP Veterans, associate members and spouses, serving and retired military personnel, along with serving RCMP members and their spouses.
Mrs. Gorman presides over monthly meetings of the Support and Advocacy Committee to improve service deliver to the membership and to explore new avenues and share experiences from challenges presented by various benefit streams. She provided current documents and information to populate the Nova Scotia RCMP Veterans’ Association website with references for the membership, including web links and items of current interest, including workshop material from all professional presentations.
The objective of the Support and Advocacy Committee is to provide awareness of the services and assistance available to those in need of a better quality of life. Mrs. Gorman has often visited a member’s residence to provide assistance with forms, referrals to medical professionals, allowances, reassessments and appeals, travel claims, hospital benefits and the process of obtaining medical, service and personal files from the RCMP.
The RCMP Veterans’ Association has now published online the 2018 edition of the Guide for Survivors and Executors, which will be a permanent feature on the Association’s website. Authored by Victor and Janet Gorman, the guide is a valuable reference tool designed to assist and inform members, spouses, executors and attorneys who have to manage the affairs and estates following the death of an RCMP Veteran.
Mr. Victor Gorman
Windsor Junction, Nova Scotia
Mr. Victor Gorman is a retired Staff Sergeant of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). He is a member of the Executive of the Nova Scotia Division of the RCMP Veterans’ Association and sits as one of the Directors of the Support and Advocacy Committee. Mr. Gorman was instrumental in the design and development of the Support and Advocacy Program in the Nova Scotia Division and for the RCMP Veterans’ Association nationally.
Mr. Gorman and his wife, Janet, have organized and delivered information workshops on a bi-annual basis in the province for RCMP Veterans, associate members and spouses, serving and retired military personnel, along with serving RCMP members and their spouses.
Mr. Gorman presides over monthly meetings of the Support and Advocacy Committee to improve service delivery to the membership and to explore new avenues and share experiences from challenges presented by various benefit streams. He provided current documents and information to populate the Nova Scotia RCMP Veterans’ Association website with references for the membership, including web links and items of current interest including workshop material from all professional presentations.
The objective of the Support and Advocacy Committee is to provide awareness of the services and assistance available to those in need of a better quality of life. Mr. Gorman has often visited a member’s residence to provide assistance with forms, referrals to medical professionals, allowances, reassessments and appeals, travel claims, hospital benefits and the process of obtaining medical, service and personal files from the RCMP.
The RCMP Veterans’ Association has published online the 2018 edition of the Guide for Survivors and Executors, which will be a permanent feature on the Association’s website. Authored by Victor and Janet Gorman, the guide is a valuable reference tool designed to assist and inform members, spouses, executors and attorneys who have to manage the affairs and estates following the death of an RCMP Veteran.
Overall:
The Support and Advocacy Committee has responded to 1389 requests for assistance during the past 5 years. Vic and Jan have personally assisted at least 464 former members, serving members, military, spouses and other members of their families. (There were many other interactions that did not get counted, such as basic information requests).
In addition Jan and Vic have:
Conducted several research projects related to various VAC Disabilities to determine if a certain disability is pensionable under the act.
Recently developed “Guideline” documents for former and serving members of the RCMP to provide information on how to properly prepare a VAC Disability Application and including some of the appropriate wording to utilize.
Reviewed disability applications and narratives, offering suggestions and recommendation prior to the member submitting them to VAC.
Researched and developed of the Survivors and Executors’ Documents several years ago; these are reviewed and updated bi-annually for accuracy (last one in 2018).
Assisted in the development of a Consultant program throughout Nova Scotia and developed training for these 20+ Consultants who are all members of the Nova Scotia RCMP Veterans’ Association. This training continues to date with the education of the Committee and Consultants via a yearly workshop.
Organized and conducted 15 Benefits and Information Workshops in 15 different areas of Nova Scotia since October 2012 – over 750 persons have attended these full-day sessions. This includes two sessions delivered at RCMP H Div HQ to serving RMs, CMs, and PS.
and more ……….. writing, documenting, more writing, Roadshows … !!!!
Sandy Glenn
President
Nova Scotia Division
RCMP Veterans’ Association
